Xavier blows past Toledo in NIT opener

Frank Victores-USA TODAY SportsThe Xavier Musketeers opened NIT play with a bang on Wednesday night, taking care of business against in-state foes Toledo, 78-64.

Thanks to the weird experimental NIT three-point line, the Musketeers struggled to find their shot from deep in the first half, going just 2-14 from beyond the arc and leading to a 27-27 tie at the break.

The second half, however, changed everything. The Musketeers come out of the locker room on a 23-11 run over the first nine minutes of the second half, as the threes started falling in bunches. Quentin Goodin it one. Then Paul Scruggs. Then Scruggs again. Then Goodin again. Then Naji Marshall got in on the fun. It’s almost as if the…